Basic CPR Classes Can Help Prevent Child Drowning Tragedies

Drowning is the key reason for death in Arizona in children below four years of age. (See Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona)

There is no single measure suggested to prevent drownings. What is highly recommended is a three-step approach: “Block, Watch and Learn.”

Step One: Block.
Block access to water. Keep bathroom doors closed so babies cannot drown in toilets. Block the backyard pool with a barrier such as a pool cover or fence.

Step Two: Watch.
Continual supervision must be practiced near all bodies of water. Many common drownings take place in buckets, bathtubs, toilets, pools, ponds, and lakes.

Step Three - Learn.
Learn how to swim and get trained in CPR. All children need to take swimming instruction additionally.

CPR Classes can make the difference between Life and Death to a loved one. Anybody that has a child in their care should take CPR courses and take refresher courses every two years.

When you take a CPR class you will learn to give CPR to Infants, Children, and adults according to the guidelines established by the American Heart Association( AHA).

Sorry to say, when a child drowns first responders such as Firefighters, EMT’s, and Paramedics are the first to administer CPR. Many people are reluctant to perform CPR because they are afraid of doing it incorrectly or hurting the person further. If your child drowns, every second counts. You must not waste time waiting for EMT’s to show up to get started on CPR. Every minute that passes diminishes the likelihood of survival. CPR is more likely to be successful when administered within the 1st five minutes after the patient ceases breathing. How long will it take for paramedics to arrive? Five minutes? Ten minutes? If this is your boy or girl, can you afford to not know CPR?